The Fórsa third-level grant support scheme for union representatives has returned for the 2026/27 academic year. Applications opened on Tuesday 14th July 2026. 

The scheme is part of Fórsa’s commitment to supporting our union reps in building their confidence and competencies so they can better carry out their union roles and better represent members. 

Grants of up to €3,000 are available to assist reps to undertake a certified educational course at third level. The course must provide qualifications and skills which will benefit a member in their work, union, and personal life. It must be a third level course, at either post-leaving cert or undergraduate level. Postgraduate qualifications are not covered.

While a course may be beneficial to a rep’s professional development or career, this should only be a secondary concern. Only courses that benefit a representative in carrying out their role as a union rep will be considered.  

The scheme is open to all reps, which includes any member performing a role on behalf of their union colleagues at workplace, branch, vocational group or other representative level.  

To qualify for the scheme a member must:  

• Be a current paid-up member of Fórsa in good standing.  
• Be able to provide details of their role, current or past, as a union rep.  
• Have the support of their own union branch (an authorised branch officer will need to sign the form before submission.)  
• Explain how the course content will assist them to better carry out their role as a union representative.  
• Be able to provide details of the course and verification of course fees from the course provider.
• Be able to provide evidence of having applied to their employer seeking funding for their course.  

Grants are based on the gross cost of undertaking the course up to a maximum of €3,000 per year. The amount awarded to successful applicants will be decided by the Membership Services Committee.   

Applications must be submitted via email to bursaries@forsa.ie by 5.30pm Thursday 10th September 2026.  

Further details are available here.  

The application form is available here. 

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa.